Chicago martial arts group newsletter reports on members' experience at Gay Games VIII

Erin Marks reports in Kiai!, the newsletter of the Thousand Waves center in Chicago:

In early August, my partner Ellen and I competed in the martial arts competition of the 8th Gay Games in Cologne, Germany. After months of preparation, I returned with two medals, a black eye and my first few hours of international mixed-style competition judging experience. After competing in the Chicago Games in 2006, I felt fortunate to be able to travel to Germany to compete again this year. I’m grateful to Kyoshi Sarah who helped me with my musical form, Sensei Wai’s Monday night sparring classes that probably kept my injuries to a black eye instead of a broken rib, and to Ellen's support and more importantly, her German skills.